Montoya solid backup for Jets

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Al Montoya stands in front of his net during third period action against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. Tony Caldwell/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Al Montoya is proving to be the dependable backup the Winnipeg Jets were hoping for.

Going into the season, there was plenty of talk about the need to get starter Ondrej Pavelec some extra rest in order to keep him sharp.

But since Montoya was limited to only seven appearances last season, there were some who doubted that would happen.

However, it appears Montoya's inactivity during the lockout-shortened season has proven to have more to do with his two groin injuries and less to do with a lack of faith.

Montoya improved to 4-2-1 this season by making 28 saves in a 2-1 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night.

When asked about the shot Alex Killorn rattled off the inside of the post during overtime, Montoya just grinned.

"That's all he had," said Montoya, who seemed a bit off balance after dropping his stick while trying to challenge Killorn on the partial breakaway.

It was the second start on the six-game road trip and seventh of the season for Montoya, who is tracking to get somewhere around 20 starts if he continues at his current pace.

Montoya's goals against average is 2.23 and his save percentage is .922.

GETTING CLOSER

By scoring 16 goals in six games on the road trip and giving up 13, the Jets are inching closer to the break-even mark in goal differential.

They've allowed 88 while scoring 82, leaving them at minus-6.

THE DROUGHT

After recording a goal and eight points in his first nine games, Jets defenceman Toby Enstrom's offensive productive has dipped significantly.

Enstrom, who has just one goal and two points in his past 23 games, now has two goals and nine points in 31 games this season.

At his current pace, Enstrom won't come close to the consecutive 50-point seasons he had with the Atlanta Thrashers.

UP-AND-DOWN

The Jets' two special-teams units remain a study in contrasts.

After going an entire road trip without scoring with the man advantage (0-for-16), the Jets are dead last in the NHL, operating at 10.8 % through 31 games.

On the flip side, the Jets' penalty kill killed off 14-of-15 power plays on the trip and are now 12th in the NHL at 83.8%.

MAN GAMES LOST

Jets left-winger Evander Kane is expected to return from a lower-body injury at some point during this homestand, but through 31 games the Jets have already accumulated 99 man games lost due to injury.

It will be interesting to see if Jets defenceman Zach Bogosian (groin) hits the ice with his teammates at all this week.

Bogosian has missed the past 10 games since suffering the injury in the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers on Nov. 15.

ALBERT WATCH

After scoring a goal on his seventh shift of his NHL debut, Jets centre John Albert has seen limited action in the following two games.

Albert played five minutes and 11 seconds against the Florida Panthers and only four minutes and 29 seconds against the Lightning.